The following is the copy of the representation submitted by our GS on 10/11.04.2008 to Secretary(Posts) to remove the anomalies in implementing the 6PC Report in respect of the cadre of IPs/ASPs
______________________________________________________________________________
CHQ/IASP/SCPC Date: 07.04.2008
To
The Secretary (Posts)
Dak Bhavan
New Delhi – 110001
Sub: Sixth Central Pay Commission Anomalies - reg
Sir,
The commission has merged different pay scales into pay bands giving fixation benefit in the form of grade pay. In the course of merger, the commission has not taken into account the basic underlying distinguishing factors between different cadres performing operative and administrative functions. For example in the Department of Posts, the pay scales of officers in the administrative set up viz. Superintendent of Post offices in Postal Services Group B, Asst. Superintendent Posts (Group B Gazetted), Inspector Posts have been merged in Pay Band 2 (Rs. 8700- 34800) with purely operative posts in S-9, S-10 and S-12 . This has created functional disturbance. In the Dept of Posts, the last clear cut administrative unit is Postal Division. The Postal Divisions are in Group A or Postal service Group B. Throughout India there are 510 divisions out of which 288 are in Group A and 222 are in Group B. It can therefore be seen that the bulk of Postal services are being monitored and controlled by Postal Services Group B divisions headed by Superintendent of Post Offices in PS Group B cadre and all the divisional heads, either in Group A or Group B are assisted by Asst. Superintendent Posts (Group B Gazetted), Inspector Posts (Group B Non- gazetted). The administrative set up has the onerous responsibility of maintaining the service and discharging administrative functions which includes constitutional obligations, recruitment, creation/review of establishment, implementing vigilance measures etc. As per CCS (CCA) Rules 1965 the divisional Superintendent in PS Group B is empowered with disciplinary powers as described in the annexure to this letter
Inspector & Assistant Superintendent (Posts):
The operative posts do not perform any of these functions. Thus the Commission has not taken into account the enormous responsibilities assigned to these cadres vis-à-vis the operative posts and all these posts have been merged in Pay Band 2. The only distinguishing factor is the grade pay. The purely operative posts of HSG II and HSG I have virtually been upgraded by giving same grade pay equivalent to Inspector Posts (Group B Non- gazetted and Asst. Superintendent Posts (Grouop B Gazetted) respectively without any distinction. The Postal Assistants , after getting their financial upgradation by way of biennial cadre review (BCR), are fitted in the pay scale of 6500- 200-10500 (S -12) in the pre-revised pay scale and accordingly they come under PB-2 i.e 8700- 34800 with grade pay of Rs 4200/-. But the Inspectors who belong to the supervisory cadre, are also placed in 6500-10500 and they also get the same grade pay of Rs 4200/- . Similarly, the pay scale of HSG –I (General Line) non-gazetted Group B, working as Postmasters, Deputy Postmasters, Sub Postmasters, Head Record officers etc. in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 6500-200- 10500 (S-12) have also been upgraded to the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 7450-225-11500 and are now placed in the new PB -2 (8700-34800) with grade pay of Rs 4600/- along with the Assistants Superintendents Post (Gazetted Group B). Thus there is no distinguishing feature between the Inspecting officer and the operative HSG I officials.
Similarly, the Junior Accounts officers (Non gazetted Group B) in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 6500-200-10500 have been upgraded to the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 7450-225-11500 and placed in PB-2 with grade pay of Rs 4600/- Hence the Inspectors Posts carrying higher responsibilities than these operative posts in HSG II or HSG I are to be differentiated by either placing the Inspector Post in the next higher pre-revised pay scale of Rs. 7450-225-11500 and fitted in the PB -2 (8700-34800) with grade pay of Rs 4600/- as has been in the case of Junior Accounts Officers or given a higher grade pay which alone would restore the unique identity of the cadre.
The Assistant Accounts Officers in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs. 7450-225-11500 have been upgraded to the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 7500- and fitted in the PB -2 (8700-34800) with grade pay of Rs 4800/-. They are also Gazetted Group B status as the Assistant Superintendent Post. It is a fact that while the Assistant Accounts officers only perform desk work, the Assistant Superintendent Post carries more arduous nature of duties, with appointment and disciplinary powers and involving extensive tours. It is therefore fit and proper that the Assistant Superintendent Post should be treated on par with at least the Assistant Accounts officers and fixed in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 7500- 250-12000 and fitted in the PB 2 with grade pay of Rs 4800/- .
It is also stated in the commission’s report that the seniority will be determined by the grade pay. But the Inspector Posts who is higher in hierarchy (in S-10 of pre-revised scale) is equated with HSG II (in S-9). Therefore merger of different pay scales with specific distinguishing functional areas carrying different pay scales disturbs the administrative mechanism and is bound to have a serious impact on the role of administrative grades like Inspector Posts (Group B Non-Gazetted), Assistant Superintendent Posts (Group B Gazetted) and particularly Superintendents in PS Group B.
Postal Superintendents Group B:
The authority of the divisional head in PS Group B, who is ultimately responsible for maintaining and improving service, implementing successfully new business ventures of Department of Posts, would definitely be eroded and the services would loose the command and control now exercised by him. While the commission in its wisdom discussed and felt convinced to upgrade the pay scales HSG II and HSG I operative posts, it has not objectively assessed the need to maintain the hierarchical distinctions. In view of the bunching of large number of pay scales, it is, but necessary to examine and maintain the established relativities which only strengthen the actual and expected role of different cadres. The enormous responsibilities assigned to the Superintendents of Post offices in PS Group B do deserve due recognition and placement at appropriate level.
When most of the cadres down below have been upgraded one step, placing the Superintendents of Post offices in PS Group B in PB 2 exactly equivalent to the pre-revised pay scale of pay (S– 14), besides causing administrative inconvenience, is also a great injustice to the cadre. Superintendents of Post offices in PS Group B should at least have been upgraded to the next above grade in the pre-revised Rs. 8000-13500 (S-15) as has been done in respect of all cadres down below and fixed the post in equivalent PB 2 i.e. Rs.8700-34800 with grade pay Rs.5400/-. Such a revision would remove the explicit anomaly, nullify functional disturbances described above and restore authority as it exists.
PS Group B is a special grade in Group B which is existing since the first pay commission with specific powers and authority not assigned to any other cadre and posts. No other post in the equivalent grade in any Ministry or Department has the distinct responsibility in terms of maintaining service in his division in an average area comprising of 500 sq.km and managing and controlling staff numbering around 500 and more in different grades. There is no analogous post in any other Ministry / Department which carries the same pre-revised pay scale and also the amount of duties and responsibilities. Continuance of the identity attached to this post is absolutely necessary in view of the administrative/operative distinctions that are unique to the Department of Posts.
The foregoing functional imbalances created due to upgradation/merger of several pay scales and omission to do justice to other administrative grade could be erased only by taking remedial measures suggested above. It is requested that these anomalies may be taken in to consideration at the earliest before the recommendations are implemented and justice done to the affected IP/ASP/PS Group B cadres.
Yours sincerely,
Sd……………
/S. Samuel/
General Secretary
No comments:
Post a Comment